using mobile phones at work

[toptotty]

Hi can anyone advise on Royal Mail policy for staff using mobile phones whilst working in a mail centre. Loads of people are putting in headphones and talking on their mobile phones for ages. There have been a couple of near misses because the people in question are distracted but no one appears to know as to whether or not you can use a mobile phone during a shift. Any advice would be appreciated,

[Creditshampoo]

Yea. You're not allowed to use them.

[wearewolves]

as far as i'm aware here at NWMMC you can use earphones in one ear only at a time

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Page 35 of the Code of Business Standards which everyone got. https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... ONLINE.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Specifically states

phones.PNG

So if they get funny about it they do have a policy that can ban them.

[Kings Norton]

Page 35 of the Code of Business Standards which everyone got. https://www.myroyalmail.com/sites/defau ... ONLINE.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Specifically states

phones.PNG

So if they get funny about it they do have a policy that can ban them.

That states "We provide" They DO NOT provide you with your personal phone.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

it also states:

Does not permit:

Using Royal Mail Group or personal equipment that interferes with productivity.

[Kings Norton]

it also states:

Does not permit:

Using Royal Mail Group or personal equipment that interferes with productivity.

Might be the case where machinery is involved but throwing a walk off is not interfering. Also if you said to your DOM i just filmed Jo Bloggs taking money out of a birthday card on your personal phone that would be fine, please can we have that evidence, when it suits them again.. They need to review that daft booklet its not clear enough in many pages.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I am neither defending or attacking the policy, I am merely presenting it as someone asked if there was an applicable policy, there is. How you, managers, or others, interpret it is outside of my consideration, I provided information thats all.

[Kings Norton]

I am neither defending or attacking the policy, I am merely presenting it as someone asked if there was an applicable policy, there is. How you, managers, or others, interpret it is outside of my consideration, I provided information thats all.

That's fine with me but all I am saying its not clear enough and it would not stand up in a court of law if someone lost their job by using a phone or listening to music on it...

[Surreypostie]

I don't have an issue with their policy, our lino's expect us to ring them using our personal mobiles also they expect to be able to contact us on them.

[Dorset Plodder]

I don't have an issue with their policy, our lino's expect us to ring them using our personal mobiles also they expect to be able to contact us on them.

Do consider this a reasonable requirement? Royal mail don't provide your phone and they don't pay your bill. What would happen to someone in your office if they said they didn't want to use their phone?

[Kings Norton]

I don't have an issue with their policy, our lino's expect us to ring them using our personal mobiles also they expect to be able to contact us on them.

Like I said before "when it suits them"

[meercat]

Hi can anyone advise on Royal Mail policy for staff using mobile phones whilst working in a mail centre. Loads of people are putting in headphones and talking on their mobile phones for ages. There have been a couple of near misses because the people in question are distracted but no one appears to know as to whether or not you can use a mobile phone during a shift. Any advice would be appreciated,

Everyone has a legal right to reasonable contact with your family via a short call or few txts while at work for example.

As for extended use the only company policy would seem to be that already mentioned regarding use and effects on productivity. However some would argue that talking on the phone or listening to music can AID productivity by keeping people motivated and attentive. So as there is no productivity issue with listening I can't see any managers making a fuss over this.

YES safety IS a major issue so if near misses have occured mention it to your LM and ask him to brief staff to keep volumes low and to take more care by looking if moving around the office. Maybe you could suggest if staff are moving they should only use one ear bud? Or maybe staff could wear a bell so you can hear people coming?

[teesdale]

At Bristol Mail Centre mobile phones definitely affect productivity. Some people stare at their phones for half the day (you tube, games, sky sports, music videos). You can even charge your phone for free by openly plugging into a machine for a few hours.

[BeamishStout]

Hmm we had a 'so-called' complaint relayed to us at a WTL brief the other day. This 'customer' supposedly took the time the find out the RM complaints telephone number and complained that they saw a postman using their mobile (on delivery walking NOT driving). Nice to know the public have our H&S at heart. I've been working with a lad this week who has been pestered by RM managers all week asking him to do O/T when he has got back so it kind of makes you wonder .